The Philadelphia Eagles are not planning to place Jalen Hurts on injured reserve at this time while they gather more information on the superficial blood clot in his calf, according to NFL Network. Hurts has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, and his return timeline remains unclear.
The situation developed over several days in October. On Oct. 4, the Eagles lost 24-20 to the Los Angeles Rams, and Hurts was later said to have been cleated in that game. He sought treatment for his calf on Oct. 8, and an ultrasound after the Eagles' flight to London and a walkthrough for Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 10 revealed the clot.
What the Eagles know so far
The Eagles said doctors initially determined Hurts could safely play, but a follow-up ultrasound later that evening showed movement in the clot. On Wednesday, Hurts practiced in full, but the update did not change the broader concern surrounding the injury. The team then announced on Thursday that Hurts was dealing with the issue, and by Oct. 15 he was officially ruled out for Sunday.
The key question now is whether Hurts will need blood thinners, which could extend the timeline. If that happens, the minimum timeframe mentioned is typically six weeks. An injured reserve placement would have forced him to miss at least four weeks, so the Eagles' decision to avoid IR for now keeps that option off the table while the team continues to monitor him.
What comes next for Philadelphia
For Sunday, Tanner McKee is set to make his third career start against the Panthers. That leaves the Eagles managing one of the most important positions in the league without a clear short-term answer on Hurts.
The broader issue is not just availability for one game. It is whether the Eagles can treat the clot without an IR stint and how quickly Hurts can return once doctors decide on the next step. For now, Philadelphia is gathering information and avoiding a move that would have locked in a longer absence.
